Almaviva releases ‘exceptional’ 2018 vintage

Top Chilean wine brand Almaviva has released an “exceptional” 2018 vintage, according to the estate’s technical director and winemaker, Michel Friou.

Commenting on the latest expression, which was released this morning through La Place de Bordeaux, he said of the 2018, “Seldom so many favourable conditions have come together to generate such an exceptional vintage,” adding, “Homogeneity is probably the best word to describe this excellent vintage, recognised as one of the best in the last 10 or 20 years in Chile.”

He also said, “For our vineyards, the homogeneity of the phenological stages and the grape maturation was key to produce wines of exceptional purity, finesse and balance, harmoniously combining freshness and ripeness.”

Almaviva 2018 was released this morning at €96 per bottle ex-negociant, which is the same price as the 2017 release.

According to Liv-ex, the wine is being offered by the international trade at £1,212 per 12×75, a 2.9% decrease on the 2017 release price (£1,248).

James Suckling, who awarded the 2017 vintage of Almaviva a ‘perfect’ 100 points, has given today’s release 98 points, calling it “a joy to taste”.